Former NBA player and UH basketball alum, Lanny Smith, and wife, Kirbi, owners of Active Faith, Inc., a Christian sports apparel company, watched on the sidelines as the COVID-19 virus made its spread across the U.S. in a matter of weeks. As thousands of health care professionals worked to save lives in the midst of a growing shortage of adequate protective gear, the couple began to brainstorm on how they might help.

The business duo quickly began to put a plan in action and reached out to their clothing manufacturers with hopes of connecting with a factory that produces N95 protective masks. “We were pleasantly surprised to be immediately connected with a company that does,” shared Active Faith COO Kirbi Smith.

The Houston-based sports apparel company immediately ordered over 1,000 N95 masks to be donated to hospitals across the country with plans to continue ordering more.

“Yes we are working with a manufacturer of N95 masks for the healthcare workers that need it,” said Smith. “We will not be selling any N95 masks. All N95 masks that we can get our hands on will be donated to hospitals and healthcare professionals who are on the front lines fighting this virus and taking care of the sick.”

In response to customer requests, the couple also announced on its website plans to begin producing regular, re-usable, and washable masks for the public.

Due to the latest information from the CDC and WHO suggesting that all people wear masks to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we are providing these masks. These are NOT N95 grade masks and there is no guarantee that it will prevent you from contracting the virus. However, since 25%+ of those carrying the virus are asymptomatic and spreading, these masks will greatly reduce the droplets that naturally project from your mouth when talking, laughing, sneezing, coughing, etc., which will help slow down the spread of the virus.

Interested individuals are invited to join in the effort. Proceeds from the sale of the brand’s faith-based wristbands will be used to purchase additional N95 masks for healthcare professionals across the country and also to produce regular Faith Over Fear branded face masks for the general public.

“We believe we can do our part to aid in this Corona Virus/COVID-19 crisis here in America and we thank all of our customers and team members for your support of this brand. Your support allows us to be able to give back and put the ACTION in Active Faith,” shared the couple on their website.

Launched in 2010, Active Faith has grown its brand in a span of a decade with their faith-based apparel/products worn by professional athletes and high-profile individuals from fellow investors, Steph Curry and Anthony Tolliver to Houston Rockets players, Jeremy Lin and James Harden to filmmaker and pastor, Devon Franklin, and many more. The company’s apparel and products have been featured in Family Christian stores across the country and in Houston-based Lakewood Church.